JURADO SANTIAGO, Josefina “Lola Pinang”

Josefina “Lola Pinang” Jurado Santiago passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 8th, 2021 at the age of 92 after a long and adventurous life. Josefina was born on August 27, 1928 in the city of Manila, Philippines to the late Godofredo and Ceferina Jurado of Santa Cruz, Manila, Philippines.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jose Macapagal Santiago of Quezon City, Philippines, and her siblings Corazon Lamaga, Dorotea Santos, Elisa Buenaventura, Florencio Guitierrez Juardo, Godofredo Jurado, Virgilio Jurado, Virginia De Leon, as well as one of her adored grandchildren, James “Jimmy” Galang.

Born the sixth of eleven children, Josefina spent her childhood helping her family in the occupied Philippines through World War II, and prided herself on her work ethic for the rest of her life. Her lifelong motto would become, “as long as you’re working, you have something to do and live for”.

She survived the war by cooking and selling goods to both forces, trading bananas for rice, and washing the clothes of soldiers. She would also act as a guerrilla youth against occupying Japanese Forces, helping the Allied Forces liberate the Philippines.

She graduated from high school as salutatorian but would not pursue a formal education beyond it. Her running joke would be that there were only two people in her graduating class by the end of the war – her and the valedictorian.

Upon her marriage to her husband and through her bearing her seven children through the years of 1947-1964, she would establish a living as a photographer as well as open her own photography studio in Quezon City, Philippines.

By the 1970’s, her children would move throughout the globe with her in tow. Upon her own immigration to the United States in the 1980’s, she would take on many laborious jobs at once. In her hard work she committed herself to supporting her remaining relatives in the Philippines and funding her life-long travels.

Josefina was a Catholic by faith her whole life. She enjoyed jewelry making, gardening, cooking, photography, engaging with and feeding wildlife, and was an avid traveler. She travelled at length to see her children and family through the course of her life and revelled in each destination and experience. Josefina also made it her trademark for over 70 years to always wear a bright-red lipstick, even when bedridden. She made note that even in her age, it made her feel beautiful.

By the 2010’s, she would find a permanent home in Tampa, Florida to be with her stateside family until her passing.

Josefina was best known for her unrelenting humor, tenacious independence, and her devotion to her loved ones.

She is survived by her siblings Angel Jurado, Augusto Jurado, and Caridad Caladia.

She is also survived by her daughter and devoted caregiver Gina Jurado Santiago of Tampa, son Jose Santiago II of Australia, daughter Ligaya Griffth of Tampa, daughter Luzviminda Ross of Germany, daughter Maria Luisa Santiago Andersson of Germany, son Rogelio Jurado Santiago of Tampa, and daughter Rosalinda Santiago-Platz of Germany.

Josefina is further survived by 22 of her grandchildren: Gina’s children – Jacinda Buggy and Dedric Baker Jr.; Jose’s children – Jannese Jean Santiago-Macale, Jossan Santiago, Jose  Santiago III, and Juvy Ann Santiago-Ducusin; Ligaya’s children – Steven Mathew and Amina Jolynne Griffith, Luzviminda’s children – Maria Clarita Dario-Guevara, Nina Dario, and Leopoldo Dario; Maria Luisa’s children – Christine Galang-Sablik, Diane Galang, and Odette Galang-Pilapil; Rogelio’s children – Josefina, Rogelio Jr., Ryann, Karen, Karyza, and Zara Santiago; Rosalinda’s children – Mark Anthony and Kim Patrick Platz.

Josefina is additionally survived by many great-grandchildren, countless other relatives, and loving friends from around the world.

A private memorial has been held virtually for family members.  All expressions of sympathy, including flowers, honorary donations to a charity supporting a cause in the Philippines of your choice, and cards are welcome.